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Just as in heterosexual relationships, domestic violence in queer relationships is often hidden, at least until it can be no longer. My hope is that “Jesse James” serves as a reminder that love is complex and complicated; that domestic violence among gay couples does exist even if it is not readily visible.

"Jesse James" weaves Greek mythology with other types of cultural stories, such as the fable of Jack and the Beanstalk and the outlaw west of Jesse James. These allusions form a child-like world as the young boy in the film might perceive it, but just as it is in those fairytales and legends, the world is fraught with danger and risk. More importantly, it is a world where strength and goodness can prevail.

** Spanish Subtitles available as srt file or burned in ***

Josef Steiff (you can just call him “Joe") was raised in the Appalachian foothills where he first worked as a licensed social worker before creating films, installations, performance, and written work that reflect his interest in the ways that people struggle to make personal sense out of random, impersonal events.

Joe's creative work has been exhibited in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and his films include the award-winning short experimental narratives "Catching Fire" and "Borders" as well as the educational documentary How Will I Tell? Surviving Sexual Assault and a collaborative feature for Split Pillow. He produced the feature Rhapsody and line produced Korean MBC Television’s More Beautiful Than A Flower. In addition, he served as general crew on Michael Moore’s Roger & Me and Wendy Weinberg’s Academy Award nominated documentary "Beyond Imagining." His most recent filmwork includes writing & directing the feature The Other One and the short film "Jesse James."

Joe's installation work includes a sound installation for the first major exhibition regarding HIV in the United States, "AIDS: The Artists' Response," and he is the writer/performer of the critically acclaimed one-man show Golden Corral. He has published essays in Batayan, Cuaderno, Hinterland, and Memoryhouse. His books include The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Independent Filmmaking, Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Mission Accomplished or Mission Frakked Up?, Anime and Philosophy: Wide Eyed Wonder, Manga and Philosophy: Fullmetal Metaphysician, Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy: The Footprints of a Gigantic Mind and Storytelling Across Worlds: Transmedia for Creatives and Producers.

Just as in heterosexual relationships, domestic violence in queer relationships is often hidden, at least until it can be no longer. My hope is that “Jesse James” serves as a reminder that love is complex and complicated; that domestic violence among gay couples does exist even if it is not readily visible.

"Jesse James" weaves Greek mythology with other types of cultural stories, such as the fable of Jack and the Beanstalk and the outlaw west of Jesse James. These allusions form a child-like world as the young boy in the film might perceive it, but just as it is in those fairytales and legends, the world is fraught with danger and risk. More importantly, it is a world where strength and goodness can prevail.

** Spanish Subtitles available as srt file or burned in ***